Bill Belichick Says He Doesn't Expect To See CB Stephon Gilmore At Minicamp

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is already putting out fires, stating Monday that he does not expect to see cornerback Stephon Gilmore at minicamp due to a contract dispute with the team.

“I don’t expect him to be here. We’ll just focus on the guys who are here," Belichick said at Patriots camp on Monday.

Gilmore was not on hand for day one and two of the mandatory camp, and Belichick finally came out and commented that he didn't think he would see Gilmore there for some time.

The 30-year-old corner was the 2018 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and has complained publicly about his current contract with the team. He is set to earn a base salary of $7 million and a $500,000 roster bonus in 2021.

Gilmore enters the final year of a deal inked with the Patriots for five years at $65 million. The deal includes $40 million in injury guarantees and $31 million fully guaranteed at signing.

With Gilmore out and veteran Jason McCourty leaving in the offseason, J.C. Jackson now sits as the clear No. 1 cornerback available for the Patriots.

"I support my brother. I wish he was here, but I support him all the same," veteran safety Adrian Phillips said.

"What he has going, whenever he gets back here, he'll let you know how it went."